Please Note The Casting Network Limited will NOT provide employment references, financial references or character references of any kind. Those who are registered with the agency are employed THROUGH the agency not BY the agency and we are therefore not in a position to comment on an individual’s suitability for employment, financial services or character.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK!

GENERAL

THE CASTING NETWORK LTD (TCN) is acting as an Employment Agency in accordance with the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

Suitably qualified and experienced artists may also be suggested for featured work but only those with an accredited training and relevant experience can be considered. This does NOT include those who attend weekend voice over ‘courses' or other short-term technique instructionals.

Office hours are 10am-6pm Monday – Friday. The office is closed on weekends.

THE CASTING NETWORK does not take phone calls during lunch between 1pm-2pm

If we contact you by text or email to check your availability, please respond within by the specified cut-off time.
Do NOT send an email to the info@thecastingnetwork.co.uk to confirm you are available. Please use the links provided in the availability-check only.

DO NOT CALL staff mobiles out of office hours UNLESS YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO DO SO.

If you cannot attend a booking for any reason please let us know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. When we are not in the office, please contact 020 8391 2979 which diverts to a member of the casting team

tf you cannot attend a booking, please do not email apologies or the reasons. Please call 020 8391 2979 immediately and speak to someone.
The role you were to play may be vital to a scene.

APPYING TO JOIN THE CASTING NETWORK

THE CASTING NETWORK prefers to represent those who are already working in the industry as supporting artists.

Applications will only be accepted via this website (See section ‘How to get on The Casting Network's books.')

We assume that if you apply to THE CASTING NETWORK that you are interested in being formally registered. If you are selected to register with TCN. you will be sent details of the next registration interviews.

Please ensure you read the following Terms and Conditions very carefully:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All those seeking work through THE CASTING NETWORK and who accept bookings through this agency, must be formally represented for the appropriate period when the work falls AND must have a profile on the website.

The Casting Network Ltd acts on behalf of registered artists in the following ways:
Liaising with prospective employers and negotiating fees where not governed by a Trade Agreement or recognised fee structure.

The Agency acts on behalf of registered artists by invoicing for fees earned through the agency and paying artists within the required time-frame, once these monies have been cleared through the Agency’s designated Client Account, less applicable agency commission and VAT on this commission.

NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBERS AND BANK DETAILS

Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions are NO LONGER deducted from all gross earnings.

For both National Insurance payments and income tax, you are classed as self-employed and responsible for paying your own National Insurance Contributions and for submitting your own tax return and keeping your own records.

Please register yourself as self employed with HMRC & take professional advice on your personal tax situation as we can not offer any tax advice.

You should be able to deduct commission and VAT as business expenses when doing your annual tax return. Please discuss this with your accountant.

By signing in agreement to the Agency Terms and Conditions, (ticking the box to confirm you have read and accepted the terms and conditions) the artist is authorising The Casting Network to invoice for and collect fees on their behalf.

For stand ins and runners booked through The Casting Network, for the convenience of the Supporting Artist, we often ask production to put these stand ins and runners on the Production Crew Payroll, which ensures they are paid weekly, which helps with the Supporting Artist’s cash flow issues. Production Crews are treated as PAYE employees, paying tax and national insurance as if the production company is their employer.

The Casting Network Ltd then invoices the Supporting Artist for the agency commission charges and VAT on these earnings which have been paid direct.

Stand-ins and runners booked long periods are required to pay only 10% commission +VAT on their gross earnings paid direct in this way.
An invoice for this commission + VAT is raised by The Casting Network Ltd, and the Supporting Artist is required to pay in full within 14 days of the date of this invoice.

You cannot change your name after registration. We require details of your Bank/Building Society as you are paid directly into your account. Only you can view, add, delete or change these details.

Unless otherwise specified, 20% Agency commission is deducted from ALL GROSS fees and VAT is payable on commission charges.

Sometimes, in error, productions pay Supporting Artists direct when there has been no prior arrangement with the Agency.

Should this occur, The Casting Network Ltd still reserves the right to invoice the Production Company for such fees.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF WORK AND NO AGENCY FEES ARE REFUNDABLE.

You are employed THROUGH the agency not BY the agency.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR OWN RECORDS FOR TAX PURPOSES. THE PRODUCTION COMPANY IS ALWAYS YOUR EMPLOYER NOT THE CASTING NETWORK.

THERE IS NEVER ANY REASON TO COME TO THE OFFICE. ALL ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED ON THE TELEPHONE OR BY EMAIL.

Please remember that when we allocate you work, you are representing THE CASTING NETWORK at studios and on location, and that we expect good conduct and your full cooperation at all times.

If you are unhappy with anything, please tell us and do not start an argument with production personnel.

3 STRIKE POLICY

This policy (outlined below) is designed so that we do not waste our time and the time of the director with people who do not turn up for filming or do not take this industry seriously.

The policy is as follows:
1st Strike = 1st warning
2nd Strike = 2nd warning
3rd Strike = You will be removed from our database and blacklisted. You will NOT be contacted again and at our discretion, we may share this information with the other agents in the POP Community of agents.

N.B. – Strikes can and will be removed if the member shows an extended time of good behaviour and has shown he/she can conduct themselves in a professional manner. Once you have earned 3 strikes they become permanent and can no longer be removed from your record.

What will get you 1, 2 or 3 strikes?

1 Strike:

Lateness

Excessive lateness seriously impeding filming

Cancellations

Cancelling a confirmed shoot:
Featured role: < 2 working days
Background: < 1 working day

Double booking yourself

If you double book yourself be aware to let us know ASAP if you are no longer available for us. If we find out only by texting you a confirmation and then being let down because you are no longer available will earn you 1 strike.

Communication

If you are confirmed for a job and you then fail to confirm the call details that are sent to you and we have to replace you.

2 Strikes:

Communication

If you are no longer available for us then you have to let us know. If we send you a confirmation text/email and you then say you are no longer available it will earn you 2 strikes

Manners

Rudeness towards film crew/actors or members of staff.

Cancellations

Cancelling a confirmed shoot:
The night before after office opening hours.
Background role with costume fitting: < 3 working days

3 Strikes:

DNA (Did Not Attend)

If we do not get a chit for your filming day then we assume you did not attend. If you do not attend because of sudden illness then you will get 1 Strike on your record (BUT only if you let us know as soon as possible) If you DNA and do not let us now it will automatically earn you 3 strikes unless you have documented proof and a very good reason why you could not contact The Casting Network in which case you will only get 1 strike.

The agency reserves the right to amend this list at irregular intervals.

BOOKINGS

If you are suitable, we will text you to check your availability for work.

Rates of pay, relevant union agreements, whether any dates are night shoots as well as the Agent’s commission for any role will be stated on the availability check or brief for the role. This is the Artist's opportunity to decline a role if the Artist does not accept the terms offered. For the avoidance of doubt after the Artist has made themselves available for a role, the Artist is not entitled to be released on the basis of the rate of pay.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE AGENCY REGARDING AVAILABILITY.

If you are going on holiday or going to be unavailable for a period exceeding 7 days, please block off these dates in the online diary on your website profile page.

Please plan your route to locations the night before any bookings.

The office is normally only open Monday-Friday. If you have been CONFIRMED for a booking, we will text & email you the details and request you ‘check-in’ via the link immediately to confirm you have received them.

If you are expecting a booking for a Sunday, Monday or after a Bank Holiday, we may not have your details until Saturday if you are booked for a Sunday, until Sunday if you are booked for a Monday or Bank Holiday Monday.

If you do not ‘check-in’ to confirm receipt of the text & email containing details of your booking, The Agency reserves the right to replace you and may not offer you any further work through The Agency.

Photographic shoots and commercials can take up to six months to pay artistes' fees. If you are not prepared to wait this long to be paid, please do not accept such bookings.

Invoices for your fees for television and feature films are normally settled in no less than 4-12 weeks and it often takes longer. We will send you your payment with 10 days of us receiving it.

When you sign-off at the end of the working day, ensure any costume fittings, supplementary/service fees due, overtime payments, early call or additional payments are included on your ‘chit’ AS THESE CANNOT BE ADDED AFTERWARDS.

You must always arrive on time and be prepared to work a full day unless informed otherwise.

If you are late for a photographic shoot, the photographer may require compensation for the fees he is paying the make-up and lighting departments, etc. whilst waiting for your arrival. You will be responsible for any type of claim from a client, should you deliberately arrive late for a booking.

If you are unable to attend a booking, please let the agency know as soon as possible.

THE CASTING NETWORK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE TO REPRESENT ARTISTS WHO ARE REPORTED FOR BAD CONDUCT, AN UNCO-OPERATIVE MANNER OR WHO LET US DOWN IN ANY WAY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.

It is not permitted to remove confidential documents from a set, such as scripts, call sheets, crew lists, to take photographs or to disclose any confidential information overheard on a production. Anyone posting such information or images on social media sites will be never be offered work again through The Casting Network and maybe liable to prosecution by the Production Company.

You must never take friends, family members or pets on set with you, unless the agency has specifically asked you.

Mobile phones are not usually permitted on set at any time but if they are, please switch the alert to ‘vibrate only'.

Eating, drinking and smoking are only permitted on set in designated areas.

NEVER leave the set without permission.

You should always arrive promptly, look clean and tidy and take any appropriate clothing with you.

All men should arrive clean-shaven unless told otherwise by The Agency.

If you are booked on a period drama, men should always take their own round-toed, lace up, leather black shoes and black socks.

All ladies should be prepared to do their own make-up and hair.
If you are booked on a period drama, always wear flesh-coloured underwear and take flesh-coloured tights. Always wear a top that buttons or has a zip fastening up the front so you do not have to remove it over your head once the hair and make up team have put your hair in hot-rods and done your make- up.CASTINGS/AUDITIONS

For some assignments especially commercials and photographic, you may be asked to attend a selection procedure. Often there is no payment for this, but we will give you the option of refusing at the time we book you.

You are only paid for auditions under the PACT/FAA agreement and commission is deducted from your payment at the usual rate.

COSTUME FITTINGS

On some productions, you will be required to attend a costume fitting, sometimes at a costumiers or at a studio and you will usually be paid for attending. Commission is deducted from your payment at the usual rate.

It is important that you attend at the allocated time, and the usual rules of conduct apply.

CANCELLATIONS

Shooting schedules can change at short notice so your booking can be postponed or cancelled. If the cancellation is made to the agency before 5.30pm the night before your scheduled day of work, you are not entitled to any cancellation fee.

ACCOUNTS QUERIES

ALL accounts queries should be sent by email only to info@thecastingnetwork.co.uk We cannot deal with any such queries over the telephone. You will always receive a payment ‘review’ before the invoices are prepared and you have 24 hours to query anything on that review using the link provided.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS OR 'BOOKING OUT'

Always make sure we have up-to-date telephone numbers and email addresses.

You can update these details yourself on the website by following the instructions and links.

If you are going on holiday or going to be unavailable for any length of time, please block-out these details in the online diary on your website profile.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON SET

On arrival, report to the 2nd assistant director, floor manager, photographer or person in charge of SAs. If the production is being shot under the PACT/FAA agreement, you may be given a 'salary voucher'. Fill in your name, address, telephone number and National Insurance number. When you go to wardrobe or makeup, they will stamp this voucher to indicate any wardrobe, wigs or property you have been given. These must be returned at the end of the working day.

At the end of the shooting day, ensure your salary voucher/time sheet is signed and returned to production personnel, OR YOU WILL NOT BE PAID.

If there is a copy for you, please keep this for your records. You are more likely to be paid via the chitless system: in which case you are emailed a contract the day before filming which you must ‘sign’ where indicated and return it via the link that is given.

On Arrival, please report-in as normal and go to sign-out, but this is all done electronically and you will not be provided with a hard copy of the details of payment. These are emailed to you by our payroll dept.

Rehearsals or sequences may be shot many times from different camera angles. Please remain patient, quite and co-operative.REPLICA / IMITATION FIREARMS

Letter from the MPS Film Unit 14th May 2013:

Replica / imitation firearms

The MPS Film Unit manages complex commercial filming across London and provides officers where filming is taking place on location and the filming requires police assistance or supervision.

The MPS Film Unit is aware that casting agencies play a key role in film and television productions by providing supporting artists (SAs), some of whom will be required to wear police costume.

Production companies have sometimes contacted casting agencies with requests that uniformed SAs bring not just their own uniform to set but also replica/imitation firearms, which has resulted in SAs travelling through or into London with not just a police costume but also a replica/imitation firearm. This situation is not only potentially dangerous, but it should also be remembered that the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 does not provide the film industry with any exemptions to possess firearms.

The term “imitation firearm” is defined in Section 57(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 as meaning ‘anything which has the appearance of being a firearm (other than such a weapon as is mentioned in 5(1)(b) of this Act), whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile.’

Section 38 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 says a ‘realistic imitation firearm’ means an imitation firearm which has an ‘appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable from a real firearm’ by someone who is not an expert; without close examination.

The Metropolitan Police Film Unit has agreed a protocol with the UK’s main casting agencies regarding the provision of uniformed SAs.

From 1st June 2013 the following agencies have agreed that whilst they will provide uniformed SAs, they will not accept requests by production companies for the SAs to provide or bring replica/imitation or airsoft firearms to set:

Should a production require replica/imitation or airsoft firearms, they must be referred to a Film Armourer who is a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) and insured to supply replica/imitation or airsoft firearms to film, television and theatrical productions.

The MPS Specialist Firearms Command (SC&O19) is aware of this protocol via the Firearms Enquiry Teams. The MPS Film Unit has also informed the following organisations:

Any queries regarding this protocol should be referred to the MPS Film Unit who will be glad to provide any further information.

COMMERCIALS, VIDEOS AND MODELLING

Ensure you have a record of the hours you have worked and get production personnel to sign to confirm you have worked these hours.

Please email the agency the following day to give us your hours and send us any written documentation by post or email.

MEALS

Catering will be provided when you are on location and you will be asked to queue for your food once the crew has been served. If you are working at a studio, you maybe required to pay for your own meals.

RE-REGISTERING WITH THE AGENCY OR CEASING TO BE REPRESENTED BY THE CASTING NETWORK

We will contact you regarding registration or re-registration for the forthcoming Agency Year.
If we reach the decision that we can no longer represent you, we will inform you. It maybe for one or some of the following reasons: This decision should not be taken personally, but may have been taken because of one or more of the following reasons:

You may have told us you no longer wish to work as a supporting artist.

We represent too many SA’s in your age group and there is insufficient demand from clients for SA’s of this age.

The Casting Network is highly regarded for its work on period dramas, which demand exacting sizes to often fit small costumes and/or particular hair-lengths or styles. Your measures or contemporary ‘look’ may not be suitable for such work.

You may not be a car owner/driver/may have transport issues.

You may live further away than others.

You may have let us down in the past.

You have poor availability.

You are unable to make it to our registration interview days.

If you no longer wish to be represented by the agency please email info@thecastingnetwork.co,.uk so we can deactivate your records on the website.

On termination of the Artist's registration, The Casting Network will keep the Artist's contact and compliance information for as long as required by law.